Offshore oil production in Gulf of Mexico going deeper

Offshore oil production in the Gulf of Mexico is “moving into deeper water horizons,” according to the World Resources Institute[1].

[2]

Oil and gas platforms and active pipelines and leases in the Gulf (Source: World Resources Institute)

The institute released a new map [3]today showing the locations of oil and gas platforms, active pipelines and active leases. It includes the Deepwater Horizon platform that blew up in April, leaking tens of millions of gallons of oil into the sea.

In the U.S. portion of the Gulf, offshore oil production amounts to 30 percent of the nation’s total production. An area as big as Maine – 35.6 million acres – is under active lease, according to the institute, which cites information from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

[4]

Oil production in shallow versus deeper water (Source: World Resources Institute via U.S. EIA)

With oil reserves in shallow water declining, production is moving into ever-deeper water, resulting in greater risk, the institute says.